1
|
Kolesnikov ES, Xiong Y, Onufriev AV. Implicit Solvent with Explicit Ions Generalized Born Model in Molecular Dynamics: Application to DNA. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:8724-8739. [PMID: 39283928 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
The ion atmosphere surrounding highly charged biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, is crucial for their dynamics, structure, and interactions. Here, we develop an approach for the explicit treatment of ions within an implicit solvent framework suitable for atomistic simulations of biomolecules. The proposed implicit solvent/explicit ions model, GBION, is based on a modified generalized Born (GB) model; it includes separate, modified GB terms for solute-ion and ion-ion interactions. The model is implemented in the AMBER package (version 24), and its performance is thoroughly investigated in atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of double-stranded DNA on a microsecond time scale. The aggregate characteristics of monovalent (Na+ and K+) and trivalent (Cobalt Hexammine, CoHex3+) counterion distributions around double-stranded DNA predicted by the model are in reasonable agreement with the experiment (where available), all-atom explicit water MD simulations, and the expectation from the Manning condensation theory. The radial distributions of monovalent cations around DNA are reasonably close to the ones obtained using the explicit water model: expressed in units of energy, the maximum deviations of local ion concentrations from the explicit solvent reference are within 1 kBT, comparable to the corresponding deviations expected between different established explicit water models. The proposed GBION model is able to simulate DNA fragments in a large volume of solvent with explicit ions with little additional computational overhead compared with the fully implicit GB treatment of ions. Ions simulated using the developed model explore conformational space at least 2 orders of magnitude faster than in the explicit solvent. These advantages allowed us to observe and explore an unexpected "stacking" mode of DNA condensation in the presence of trivalent counterions (CoHex3+) that was revealed by recent experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Egor S Kolesnikov
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Yeyue Xiong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Alexey V Onufriev
- Departments of Computer Science and Physics, Center for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hu G, Yu X, Li Z. Unveiling Putative Excited State and Transmission of Binding Information in the Fluoride Riboswitch. J Chem Inf Model 2024. [PMID: 39342653 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Riboswitches regulate downstream gene expression by binding to specific small molecules or ions with multiple mechanisms to transfer the binding information. In the case of the fluoride riboswitch, the transcription termination signal is conveyed through a transient excited state (ES). In this work, we performed conventional molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, totaling 180 μs, to obtain the ES structure and investigate the mechanism underlying information transmission in Mg2+/F- binding within the fluoride riboswitch aptamer. The Mg2+/F- binding pocket exhibits various conformations in its apo form. A series of ES structures were extracted from the MD trajectories of the apo form. The dynamics of the Mg2+/F- binding pocket influenced key pair A40-U48 in ES structures. The pathway connecting the binding pocket to the pair involves interactions between the phosphate groups of U7 and G8 and the nucleobases of G8-C47-U48. Our work presents a structural ensemble of the ES and elucidates a pathway for transferring Mg2+/F- binding information, thereby facilitating the understanding of how the holo-like apo state achieves transcriptional repression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Hu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China
| | - Xue Yu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China
| | - Zhaojun Li
- College of Computer and Information Engineering, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Franke L, Globisch C, Karakurt MC, Stephan T, Peter C. Atomistic Simulations Reveal Crucial Role of Metal Ions for Ligand Binding in Guanidine-I Riboswitch. Macromol Rapid Commun 2024:e2400606. [PMID: 39225633 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202400606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Riboswitches are structured ribonucleic acid (RNA) segments that act as specific sensors for small molecules in bacterial metabolism. Due to the flexible nature of these highly charged macromolecules, molecular dynamics simulations are instrumental to investigating the mechanistic details of their regulatory function. In the present study, the guanidine-I riboswitch serves as an example of how atomistic simulations can shed light on the effect of ions on the structure and dynamics of RNA and on ligand binding. Relying on two orthologous crystal structures from different bacterial species, it is demonstrated how the ion setup crucially determines whether the simulation yields meaningful insights into the conformational stability of the RNA, functionally relevant residues and RNA-ligand interactions. The ion setup in this context includes diffuse ions in solution and bound ions associated directly with the RNA, in particular a triad of 2 Mg2+ ions and a K+ ion in close proximity to the guanidinium binding site. A detailed investigation of the binding pocket reveals that the K+ from the ion triad plays a decisive role in stabilizing the ligand binding by stabilizing important localized interactions, which in turn contribute to the overall shape of the folded state of the RNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leon Franke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Christoph Globisch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Mehmet Can Karakurt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Theresa Stephan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Christine Peter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhu Y, Chaubey B, Olsen GL, Varani G. Structure of Essential RNA Regulatory Elements in the West Nile Virus 3'-Terminal Stem Loop. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168767. [PMID: 39214284 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Flaviviruses, such as West Nile and Dengue Virus, pose a significant and growing threat to global health. Central to the flavivirus life cycle are highly structured 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs), which harbor conserved cis-acting RNA elements critical for viral replication and host adaptation. Despite their essential roles, detailed molecular insights into these RNA elements have been limited. By employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in conjunction with SAXS experiments, we determined the three-dimensional structure of the West Nile Virus (WNV) 3'-terminal stem-loop core, a highly conserved element critical for viral genome cyclization and replication. Single nucleotide mutations at several sites within this RNA abolish the ability of the virus to replicate. These critical sites are located within a short 18-nucleotide hairpin stem, a substructure notable for its conformational flexibility, while the adjoining main stem-loop adopts a well-defined extended helix interrupted by three non-Watson-Crick pairs. This study enhances our understanding of several metastable RNA structures that play key roles in regulating the flavivirus lifecycle, and thereby also opens up potential new avenues for the development of antivirals targeting these conserved RNA structures. In particular, the structure we observe suggests that the plastic junction between the small hairpin and the tail of the longer stem-loop could provide a binding pocket for small molecules, for example potentially stabilizing the RNA in a conformation which hinders the conformational rearrangements critical for viral replication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Bhawna Chaubey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gregory L Olsen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Muscat S, Martino G, Manigrasso J, Marcia M, De Vivo M. On the Power and Challenges of Atomistic Molecular Dynamics to Investigate RNA Molecules. J Chem Theory Comput 2024. [PMID: 39150960 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.4c00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
RNA molecules play a vital role in biological processes within the cell, with significant implications for science and medicine. Notably, the biological functions exerted by specific RNA molecules are often linked to the RNA conformational ensemble. However, the experimental characterization of such three-dimensional RNA structures is challenged by the structural heterogeneity of RNA and by its multiple dynamic interactions with binding partners such as small molecules, proteins, and metal ions. Consequently, our current understanding of the structure-function relationship of RNA molecules is still limited. In this context, we highlight molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as a powerful tool to complement experimental efforts on RNAs. Despite the recognized limitations of current force fields for RNA MD simulations, examining the dynamics of selected RNAs has provided valuable functional insights into their structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Muscat
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Martino
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manigrasso
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, 431 50 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Marco Marcia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Grenoble, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38042 Grenoble, France
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modelling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Occean JR, Yang N, Sun Y, Dawkins MS, Munk R, Belair C, Dar S, Anerillas C, Wang L, Shi C, Dunn C, Bernier M, Price NL, Kim JS, Cui CY, Fan J, Bhattacharyya M, De S, Maragkakis M, de Cabo R, Sidoli S, Sen P. Gene body DNA hydroxymethylation restricts the magnitude of transcriptional changes during aging. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6357. [PMID: 39069555 PMCID: PMC11284234 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50725-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA hydroxymethylation (5hmC), the most abundant oxidative derivative of DNA methylation, is typically enriched at enhancers and gene bodies of transcriptionally active and tissue-specific genes. Although aberrant genomic 5hmC has been implicated in age-related diseases, its functional role in aging remains unknown. Here, using mouse liver and cerebellum as model organs, we show that 5hmC accumulates in gene bodies associated with tissue-specific function and restricts the magnitude of gene expression changes with age. Mechanistically, 5hmC decreases the binding of splicing associated factors and correlates with age-related alternative splicing events. We found that various age-related contexts, such as prolonged quiescence and senescence, drive the accumulation of 5hmC with age. We provide evidence that this age-related transcriptionally restrictive function is conserved in mouse and human tissues. Our findings reveal that 5hmC regulates tissue-specific function and may play a role in longevity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James R Occean
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Na Yang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Marshall S Dawkins
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rachel Munk
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cedric Belair
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Showkat Dar
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carlos Anerillas
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lin Wang
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Changyou Shi
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Dunn
- Flow Cytometry Unit, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michel Bernier
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nathan L Price
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Julie S Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Chang-Yi Cui
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jinshui Fan
- Computational Biology and Genomics Core, Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Supriyo De
- Computational Biology and Genomics Core, Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Manolis Maragkakis
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rafael de Cabo
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Payel Sen
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ramachandran V, Potoyan DA. Atomistic insights into the reentrant phase-transitions in polyuracil and polylysine mixtures. J Chem Phys 2024; 161:015101. [PMID: 38949285 PMCID: PMC11378353 DOI: 10.1063/5.0206190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The phase separation of protein and RNA mixtures underpins the assembly and regulation of numerous membraneless organelles in cells. The ubiquity of protein-RNA condensates in cellular regulatory processes is in part due to their sensitivity to RNA concentration, which affects their physical properties and stability. Recent experiments with poly-cationic peptide-RNA mixtures have revealed closed-loop phase diagrams featuring lower and upper critical solution temperatures. These diagrams indicate reentrant phase transitions shaped by biomolecular interactions and entropic forces such as solvent and ion reorganization. We employed atomistic simulations to study mixtures with various RNA-polylysine stoichiometries and temperatures to elucidate the microscopic driving forces behind reentrant phase transitions in protein-RNA mixtures. Our findings reveal an intricate interplay between hydration, ion condensation, and specific RNA-polylysine hydrogen bonding, resulting in distinct stoichiometry-dependent phase equilibria governing stabilities and structures of the condensate phase. Our simulations show that reentrant transitions are accompanied by desolvation around the phosphate groups of RNA, with increased contacts between phosphate and lysine side chains. In RNA-rich systems at lower temperatures, RNA molecules can form an extensive pi-stacking and hydrogen bond network, leading to percolation. In protein-rich systems, no such percolation-induced transitions are observed. Furthermore, we assessed the performance of three prominent water force fields-Optimal Point Charge (OPC), TIP4P-2005, and TIP4P-D-in capturing reentrant phase transitions. OPC provided a superior balance of interactions, enabling effective capture of reentrant transitions and accurate characterization of changes in solvent reorganization. This study offers atomistic insights into the nature of reentrant phase transitions using simple model peptide and nucleotide mixtures. We believe that our results are broadly applicable to larger classes of peptide-RNA mixtures exhibiting reentrant phase transitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Davit A Potoyan
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Namani S, Kavetsky K, Lin CY, Maharjan S, Gamper HB, Li NS, Piccirilli JA, Hou YM, Drndic M. Unraveling RNA Conformation Dynamics in Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like Episode Syndrome with Solid-State Nanopores. ACS NANO 2024; 18:17240-17250. [PMID: 38906834 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c04625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) conformational dynamics in the context of MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) using solid-state silicon nitride (SiN) nanopore technology. SiN nanopores in thin membranes with specific dimensions exhibit high signal resolution, enabling real-time and single-molecule electronic detection of tRNA conformational changes. We focus on human mitochondrial tRNALeu(UAA) (mt-Leu(UAA)) that decodes Leu codons UUA/UUG (UUR) during protein synthesis on the mt-ribosome. The single A14G substitution in mt-Leu(UAA) is the major cause of MELAS disease. Measurements of current blockades and dwell times reveal distinct conformational dynamics of the wild-type (WT) and the A14G variant of mt-Leu(UAA) in response to the conserved post-transcriptional m1G9 methylation. While the m1G9-modified WT transcript adopts a more stable structure relative to the unmodified transcript, the m1G9-modified MELAS transcript adopts a less stable structure relative to the unmodified transcript. Notably, these differential features were observed at 0.4 M KCl, but not at 3 M KCl, highlighting the importance of experimental settings that are closer to physiological conditions. This work demonstrates the feasibility of the nanopore platform to discern tRNA molecules that differ by a single-nucleotide substitution or by a single methylation event, providing an important step forward to explore changes in the conformational dynamics of other RNA molecules in human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Srilahari Namani
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kyril Kavetsky
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Chih-Yuan Lin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Sunita Maharjan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - Howard B Gamper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - Nan-Sheng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Joseph A Piccirilli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Ya-Ming Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, United States
| | - Marija Drndic
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cowan JA. Understanding the Thermodynamics of Magnesium Binding to RNA Structural Motifs. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:765. [PMID: 38929748 PMCID: PMC11205036 DOI: 10.3390/life14060765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Divalent magnesium ions (Mg2+) serve a vital role in defining the structural and catalytic chemistry of a wide array of RNA molecules. The body of structural information on RNA motifs continues to expand and, in turn, the functional importance of Mg2+ is revealed. A combination of prior work on the structural characterization of magnesium binding ligands with inner- and outer-sphere coordination modes, with recorded experimental binding energies for inner- and outer-sphere contacts, demonstrates the relative affinity and thermodynamic hierarchy for these sites. In turn, these can be correlated with cellular concentrations of free available magnesium ions, allowing the prioritization of populating important functional sites and a correlation with physiological function. This paper summarizes some of the key results of that analysis and provides predictive rules for the affinity and role of newly identified Mg binding sites on complex RNA structures. The influence of crystal packing on magnesium binding to RNA motifs, relative to their solution form, is addressed and caveats made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J A Cowan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kersten C, Archambault P, Köhler LP. Assessment of Nucleobase Protomeric and Tautomeric States in Nucleic Acid Structures for Interaction Analysis and Structure-Based Ligand Design. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:4485-4499. [PMID: 38766733 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
With increasing interest in RNA as a therapeutic and a potential target, the role of RNA structures has become more important. Even slight changes in nucleobases, such as modifications or protomeric and tautomeric states, can have a large impact on RNA structure and function, while local environments in turn affect protonation and tautomerization. In this work, the application of empirical tools for pKa and tautomer prediction for RNA modifications was elucidated and compared with ab initio quantum mechanics (QM) methods and expanded toward macromolecular RNA structures, where QM is no longer feasible. In this regard, the Protonate3D functionality within the molecular operating environment (MOE) was expanded for nucleobase protomer and tautomer predictions and applied to reported examples of altered protonation states depending on the local environment. Overall, observations of nonstandard protomers and tautomers were well reproduced, including structural C+G:C(A) and A+GG motifs, several mismatches, and protonation of adenosine or cytidine as the general acid in nucleolytic ribozymes. Special cases, such as cobalt hexamine-soaked complexes or the deprotonation of guanosine as the general base in nucleolytic ribozymes, proved to be challenging. The collected set of examples shall serve as a starting point for the development of further RNA protonation prediction tools, while the presented Protonate3D implementation already delivers reasonable protonation predictions for RNA and DNA macromolecules. For cases where higher accuracy is needed, like following catalytic pathways of ribozymes, incorporation of QM-based methods can build upon the Protonate3D-generated starting structures. Likewise, this protonation prediction can be used for structure-based RNA-ligand design approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, BioZentrum I, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch.Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Philippe Archambault
- Chemical Computing Group, 910-1010 Sherbrooke W., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2R7
| | - Luca P Köhler
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Staudingerweg 5, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yu X, Zhou J, Ye W, Xu J, Li R, Huang L, Chai Y, Wen M, Xu S, Zhou Y. Time-course swRNA-seq uncovers a hierarchical gene regulatory network in controlling the response-repair-remodeling after wounding. Commun Biol 2024; 7:694. [PMID: 38844830 PMCID: PMC11156874 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06352-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Wounding initiates intricate responses crucial for tissue repair and regeneration. Yet, the gene regulatory networks governing wound healing remain poorly understood. Here, employing single-worm RNA sequencing (swRNA-seq) across 12 time-points, we delineated a three-stage wound repair process in C. elegans: response, repair, and remodeling. Integrating diverse datasets, we constructed a dynamic regulatory network comprising 241 transcription regulators and their inferred targets. We identified potentially seven autoregulatory TFs and five cross-autoregulatory loops involving pqm-1 and jun-1. We revealed that TFs might interact with chromatin factors and form TF-TF combinatory modules via intrinsically disordered regions to enhance response robustness. We experimentally validated six regulators functioning in transcriptional and translocation-dependent manners. Notably, nhr-76, daf-16, nhr-84, and oef-1 are potentially required for efficient repair, while elt-2 may act as an inhibitor. These findings elucidate transcriptional responses and hierarchical regulatory networks during C. elegans wound repair, shedding light on mechanisms underlying tissue repair and regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinghai Yu
- College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jinghua Zhou
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wenkai Ye
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jingxiu Xu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rui Li
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Li Huang
- College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yi Chai
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, 718 East Haizhou Rd., Haining, Zhejiang, 314400, China
| | - Miaomiao Wen
- College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Suhong Xu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- The Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, 718 East Haizhou Rd., Haining, Zhejiang, 314400, China.
| | - Yu Zhou
- College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
- Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gualdrini F, Rizzieri S, Polletti S, Pileri F, Zhan Y, Cuomo A, Natoli G. An integrative epigenome-based strategy for unbiased functional profiling of clinical kinase inhibitors. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:626-650. [PMID: 38724853 PMCID: PMC11148061 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00040-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 500 kinases are implicated in the control of most cellular process in mammals, and deregulation of their activity is linked to cancer and inflammatory disorders. 80 clinical kinase inhibitors (CKIs) have been approved for clinical use and hundreds are in various stages of development. However, CKIs inhibit other kinases in addition to the intended target(s), causing both enhanced clinical effects and undesired side effects that are only partially predictable based on in vitro selectivity profiling. Here, we report an integrative approach grounded on the use of chromatin modifications as unbiased, information-rich readouts of the functional effects of CKIs on macrophage activation. This approach exceeded the performance of transcriptome-based approaches and allowed us to identify similarities and differences among CKIs with identical intended targets, to recognize novel CKI specificities and to pinpoint CKIs that may be repurposed to control inflammation, thus supporting the utility of this strategy to improve selection and use of CKIs in clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Gualdrini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy.
| | - Stefano Rizzieri
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy
| | - Sara Polletti
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy
| | - Francesco Pileri
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy
| | - Yinxiu Zhan
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy
| | - Gioacchino Natoli
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milano, 20139, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Carlesso A, Hörberg J, Deganutti G, Reymer A, Matsson P. Structural dynamics of therapeutic nucleic acids with phosphorothioate backbone modifications. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae058. [PMID: 38800826 PMCID: PMC11127634 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) offer ground-breaking possibilities for selective pharmacological intervention for any gene product-related disease. Therapeutic ASOs contain extensive chemical modifications that improve stability to enzymatic cleavage and modulate binding affinity relative to natural RNA/DNA. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation can provide valuable insights into how such modifications affect ASO conformational sampling and target binding. However, force field parameters for chemically modified nucleic acids (NAs) are still underdeveloped. To bridge this gap, we developed parameters to allow simulations of ASOs with the widely applied phosphorothioate (PS) backbone modification, and validated these in extensive all-atom MD simulations of relevant PS-modified NA systems representing B-DNA, RNA, and DNA/RNA hybrid duplex structures. Compared to the corresponding natural NAs, single PS substitutions had marginal effects on the ordered DNA/RNA duplex, whereas substantial effects of phosphorothioation were observed in single-stranded RNA and B-DNA, corroborated by the experimentally derived structure data. We find that PS-modified NAs shift between high and low twist states, which could affect target recognition and protein interactions for phosphorothioated oligonucleotides. Furthermore, conformational sampling was markedly altered in the PS-modified ssRNA system compared to that of the natural oligonucleotide, indicating sequence-dependent effects on conformational preference that may in turn influence duplex formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Carlesso
- Department of Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 431, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johanna Hörberg
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Anna Reymer
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Box 462, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pär Matsson
- Department of Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 431, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- SciLifeLab, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ramachandran V, Potoyan DA. Energy landscapes of homopolymeric RNAs revealed by deep unsupervised learning. Biophys J 2024; 123:1152-1163. [PMID: 38571310 PMCID: PMC11079944 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Conformational dynamics of RNA plays important roles in a variety of cellular functions such as transcriptional regulation, catalysis, scaffolding, and sensing. Recently, RNAs with low-complexity sequences have been shown to phase separate and form condensate phases similar to lowcomplexity protein domains. The affinity for phase separation and the material characteristics of RNA condensates are strongly dependent on sequence composition and patterning. We hypothesize that differences in the affinities for RNA phase separation can be uncovered by studying sequence-dependent conformational dynamics of single RNA chains. To this end, we have employed atomistic simulations and deep dimensionality reduction techniques to map temperature-dependent conformational free energy landscapes for 20 base-long homopolymeric RNA sequences: poly(U), poly(G), poly(C), and poly(A). The energy landscapes of homopolymeric RNAs reveal a plethora of metastable states with qualitatively different populations stemming from differences in base chemistry. Through detailed analysis of base, phosphate, and sugar interactions, we show that experimentally observed temperature-driven shifts in metastable state populations align with experiments on RNA phase transitions. Specifically, we find that the thermodynamics of unfolding of homopolymeric RNA follows the poly(G) > poly(A) > poly(C) > poly(U) order of stability, mirroring the propensity of RNA to form condensates. To conclude, this work shows that at least for homopolymeric RNA sequences the single-chain conformational dynamics contains sufficient information for predicting and quantifying condensate forming affinities of RNAs. Thus, we anticipate that atomically detailed studies of temeprature -dependent energy landscapes of RNAs will be a useful guide for understanding the propensity of various RNA molecules to form condensates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Davit A Potoyan
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa; Department of Biochemistry Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang Y, Li L, Sutton AT, Tu Q, Zhao K, Wen E, Osborn J, Singh A, Gunsch MJ, Rustandi RR, Foley D, He Y. Development of a capillary zone electrophoresis method to monitor magnesium ion consumption during in vitro transcription for mRNA production. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024:10.1007/s00216-024-05242-8. [PMID: 38594392 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05242-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines represent a landmark in vaccinology, especially with their success in COVID-19 vaccines, which have shown great promise for future vaccine development and disease prevention. As a platform technology, synthetic mRNA can be produced with high fidelity using in vitro transcription (IVT). Magnesium plays a vital role in the IVT process, facilitating the phosphodiester bond formation between adjacent nucleotides and ensuring accurate transcription to produce high-quality mRNA. The development of the IVT process has prompted key inquiries about in-process characterization of magnesium ion (Mg++) consumption, relating to the RNA polymerase (RNAP) activation, fed-batch mode production yield, and mRNA quality. Hence, it becomes crucial to monitor the free Mg++ concentration throughout the IVT process. However, no free Mg++ analysis method has been reported for complex IVT reactions. Here we report a robust capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method with indirect UV detection. The assay allows accurate quantitation of free Mg++ for the complex IVT reaction where it is essential to preserve IVT samples in their native-like state during analysis to avoid dissociation of bound Mg complexes. By applying this CZE method, the relationships between free Mg++ concentration, the mRNA yield, and dsRNA impurity level were investigated. Such mechanistic understanding facilitates informed decisions regarding the quantity and timing of feeding starting materials to increase the yield. Furthermore, this approach can serve as a platform method for analyzing the free Mg++ in complex sample matrices where preserving the native-like state of Mg++ binding is key for accurate quantitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA.
| | - Li Li
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA.
| | - Adam T Sutton
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Qiang Tu
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Kaixi Zhao
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Emily Wen
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - James Osborn
- Process Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Andrew Singh
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Matthew J Gunsch
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | | | - David Foley
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| | - Yu He
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sarkar R, Mainan A, Roy S. Influence of ion and hydration atmospheres on RNA structure and dynamics: insights from advanced theoretical and computational methods. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024. [PMID: 38501190 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc06105a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
RNA, a highly charged biopolymer composed of negatively charged phosphate groups, defies electrostatic repulsion to adopt well-defined, compact structures. Hence, the presence of positively charged metal ions is crucial not only for RNA's charge neutralization, but they also coherently decorate the ion atmosphere of RNA to stabilize its compact fold. This feature article elucidates various modes of close RNA-ion interactions, with a special emphasis on Mg2+ as an outer-sphere and inner-sphere ion. Through examples, we highlight how inner-sphere chelated Mg2+ stabilizes RNA pseudoknots, while outer-sphere ions can also exert long-range electrostatic interactions, inducing groove narrowing, coaxial helical stacking, and RNA ring formation. In addition to investigating the RNA's ion environment, we note that the RNA's hydration environment is relatively underexplored. Our study delves into its profound interplay with the structural dynamics of RNA, employing state-of-the-art atomistic simulation techniques. Through examples, we illustrate how specific ions and water molecules are associated with RNA functions, leveraging atomistic simulations to identify preferential ion binding and hydration sites. However, understanding their impact(s) on the RNA structure remains challenging due to the involvement of large length and long time scales associated with RNA's dynamic nature. Nevertheless, our contributions and recent advances in coarse-grained simulation techniques offer insights into large-scale structural changes dynamically linked to the RNA ion atmosphere. In this connection, we also review how different cutting-edge computational simulation methods provide a microscopic lens into the influence of ions and hydration on RNA structure and dynamics, elucidating distinct ion atmospheric components and specific hydration layers and their individual and collective impacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raju Sarkar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 741246, India.
| | - Avijit Mainan
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 741246, India.
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 741246, India.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kar A, Alvarez M, Garske KM, Huang H, Lee SHT, Deal M, Das SS, Koka A, Jamal Z, Mohlke KL, Laakso M, Heinonen S, Pietiläinen KH, Pajukanta P. Age-dependent genes in adipose stem and precursor cells affect regulation of fat cell differentiation and link aging to obesity via cellular and genetic interactions. Genome Med 2024; 16:19. [PMID: 38297378 PMCID: PMC10829214 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01291-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age and obesity are dominant risk factors for several common cardiometabolic disorders, and both are known to impair adipose tissue function. However, the underlying cellular and genetic factors linking aging and obesity on adipose tissue function have remained elusive. Adipose stem and precursor cells (ASPCs) are an understudied, yet crucial adipose cell type due to their deterministic adipocyte differentiation potential, which impacts the capacity to store fat in a metabolically healthy manner. METHODS We integrated subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) bulk (n=435) and large single-nucleus RNA sequencing (n=105) data with the UK Biobank (UKB) (n=391,701) data to study age-obesity interactions originating from ASPCs by performing cell-type decomposition, differential expression testing, cell-cell communication analyses, and construction of polygenic risk scores for body mass index (BMI). RESULTS We found that the SAT ASPC proportions significantly decrease with age in an obesity-dependent way consistently in two independent cohorts, both showing that the age dependency of ASPC proportions is abolished by obesity. We further identified 76 genes (72 SAT ASPC marker genes and 4 transcription factors regulating ASPC marker genes) that are differentially expressed by age in SAT and functionally enriched for developmental processes and adipocyte differentiation (i.e., adipogenesis). The 76 age-perturbed ASPC genes include multiple negative regulators of adipogenesis, such as RORA, SMAD3, TWIST2, and ZNF521, form tight clusters of longitudinally co-expressed genes during human adipogenesis, and show age-based differences in cellular interactions between ASPCs and adipose cell types. Finally, our genetic data demonstrate that cis-regional variants of these genes interact with age as predictors of BMI in an obesity-dependent way in the large UKB, while no such gene-age interaction on BMI is observed with non-age-dependent ASPC marker genes, thus independently confirming our cellular ASPC results at the biobank level. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we discover that obesity prematurely induces a decrease in ASPC proportions and identify 76 developmentally important ASPC genes that implicate altered negative regulation of fat cell differentiation as a mechanism for aging and directly link aging to obesity via significant cellular and genetic interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asha Kar
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Marcus Alvarez
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Kristina M Garske
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Huiling Huang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Seung Hyuk T Lee
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Milena Deal
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Sankha Subhra Das
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Amogha Koka
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Zoeb Jamal
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA
| | - Karen L Mohlke
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Markku Laakso
- Department of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sini Heinonen
- Obesity Research Unit, Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsi H Pietiläinen
- Obesity Research Unit, Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- HealthyWeightHub, Endocrinology, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Pajukanta
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Gonda Center, Room 6357B, 695 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7088, USA.
- Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.
- Institute for Precision Health, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang F, Xia R, Su Y, Cai P, Xu X. Quantifying RNA structures and interactions with a unified reduced chain representation model. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127181. [PMID: 37793523 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA is a pivotal molecule that plays critical roles in various cellular processes. Quantifying RNA structures and interactions is essential to understanding RNA function and developing RNA-based therapeutics. Using a unified five-bead model and a non-redundant database, this paper investigates the structural features and interactions of five commonly occurring RNA motifs, i.e., double-stranded helices, hairpin loops, internal/bulge loops, multi-branched junctions, and single-stranded terminal tails. Analyzing detailed distributions of RNA local structural features and base-base interactions reveals a preference for helical structures in both local backbone structures and base orientations. The interactions between adjacent bases exhibit motif-specific and sequence-dependent characteristics, reflecting the distinct topological constraints imposed by different loop-helix connection modes and the varying pairing and stacking interactions among different sequences. These findings shed light on the stability of RNA helices, emphasizing their significance in providing dominant base pairing and stacking interactions for RNA structures and stability. The four non-helix motifs encompass unpaired nucleotide loops and exhibit diverse base-base interactions, contributing to the structural diversity observed in RNA. Overall, the complexity of RNA structure arises from the intricate interplay of base-base interactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengfei Wang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Mathematics and Physics, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Renjie Xia
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Mathematics and Physics, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Yangyang Su
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Mathematics and Physics, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Pinggen Cai
- Department of Applied Physics, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Mathematics and Physics, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Liu F, Liu Z, Cheng W, Zhao Q, Zhang X, Zhang H, Yu M, Xu H, Gao Y, Jiang Q, Shi G, Wang L, Gu S, Wang J, Cao N, Chen Z. The PERK Branch of the Unfolded Protein Response Safeguards Protein Homeostasis and Mesendoderm Specification of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303799. [PMID: 37890465 PMCID: PMC10724406 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac development involves large-scale rearrangements of the proteome. How the developing cardiac cells maintain the integrity of the proteome during the rapid lineage transition remains unclear. Here it is shown that proteotoxic stress visualized by the misfolded and/or aggregated proteins appears during early cardiac differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and is resolved by activation of the PERK branch of unfolded protein response (UPR). PERK depletion increases misfolded and/or aggregated protein accumulation, leading to pluripotency exit defect and impaired mesendoderm specification of human pluripotent stem cells. Mechanistically, it is found that PERK safeguards mesendoderm specification through its conserved downstream effector ATF4, which subsequently activates a novel transcriptional target WARS1, to cope with the differentiation-induced proteotoxic stress. The results indicate that protein quality control represents a previously unrecognized core component of the cardiogenic regulatory network. Broadly, these findings provide a framework for understanding how UPR is integrated into the developmental program by activating the PERK-ATF4-WARS1 axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230022P. R. China
| | - Zhun Liu
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Weisheng Cheng
- Prenatal Diagnosis CenterDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHefei230022P. R. China
- Department of Medical InformaticsZhongshan School of MedicineSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Qingquan Zhao
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - He Zhang
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Miao Yu
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - He Xu
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Yichen Gao
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Qianrui Jiang
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Guojun Shi
- Guangzhou Municipal Key Laboratory of Mechanistic and Translational Obesity ResearchGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of DiabetologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangdong510080P. R. China
| | - Likun Wang
- National Laboratory of BiomacromoleculesCAS Center for Excellence in BiomacromoleculesInstitute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101P. R. China
- College of Life SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049P. R. China
| | - Shanshan Gu
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Jia Wang
- School of Health and Life SciencesUniversity of Health and Rehabilitation SciencesShandong266071China
| | - Nan Cao
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| | - Zhongyan Chen
- Advanced Medical Technology CenterZhongshan School of Medicine and the First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhou510080P. R. China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue EngineeringSun Yat‐Sen UniversityMinistry of EducationGuangzhou510080P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Farafonov VS, Stich M, Nerukh DA. Complete Virion Simulated: All-Atom Model of an MS2 Bacteriophage with Native Genome. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:7924-7933. [PMID: 37856311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
For the first time, a complete all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) model of a virus, bacteriophage MS2, in its entirety, including a protein outer shell, native genomic RNA with necessary divalent ions, and surrounding explicit aqueous solution with ions at physiological concentration, was built. The model is based on an experimentally measured cryo-EM structure, which was substantially augmented by reconstructing missing or low-resolution parts of the measured density (where the atomistic structure cannot be fit unambiguously). The model was tested by a quarter of a microsecond MD run, and various biophysical characteristics are obtained and analyzed. The developed methodology of building the model can be used for reconstructing other large biomolecular structures when experimental data are fragmented and/or of varying resolution, while the model itself can be used for studying the biology of MS2, including the dynamics of its interaction with the host bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir S Farafonov
- Department of Physical Chemistry, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv 61022, Ukraine
- Department of Mathematics, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, U.K
| | - Michael Stich
- Department of Mathematics, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, U.K
- Área de Matemática Aplicada, Departamento de Matemática Aplicada, Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales y Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C. Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, Madrid 28933, Spain
| | - Dmitry A Nerukh
- Department of Mathematics, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, U.K
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Frishberg A, Milman N, Alpert A, Spitzer H, Asani B, Schiefelbein JB, Bakin E, Regev-Berman K, Priglinger SG, Schultze JL, Theis FJ, Shen-Orr SS. Reconstructing disease dynamics for mechanistic insights and clinical benefit. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6840. [PMID: 37891175 PMCID: PMC10611752 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42354-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases change over time, both phenotypically and in their underlying molecular processes. Though understanding disease progression dynamics is critical for diagnostics and treatment, capturing these dynamics is difficult due to their complexity and the high heterogeneity in disease development between individuals. We present TimeAx, an algorithm which builds a comparative framework for capturing disease dynamics using high-dimensional, short time-series data. We demonstrate the utility of TimeAx by studying disease progression dynamics for multiple diseases and data types. Notably, for urothelial bladder cancer tumorigenesis, we identify a stromal pro-invasion point on the disease progression axis, characterized by massive immune cell infiltration to the tumor microenvironment and increased mortality. Moreover, the continuous TimeAx model differentiates between early and late tumors within the same tumor subtype, uncovering molecular transitions and potential targetable pathways. Overall, we present a powerful approach for studying disease progression dynamics-providing improved molecular interpretability and clinical benefits for patient stratification and outcome prediction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amit Frishberg
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- CytoReason, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Neta Milman
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ayelet Alpert
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hannah Spitzer
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Ben Asani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Joachim L Schultze
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life & Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE). PRECISE Platform for Genomics and Epigenomics at DZNE and University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Fabian J Theis
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Mathematics, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Shai S Shen-Orr
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
- CytoReason, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hu G, Zhang Y, Yu Z, Cui T, Cui W. Dynamical characterization and multiple unbinding paths of two PreQ 1 ligands in one pocket. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:24004-24015. [PMID: 37646322 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03142j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Riboswitches naturally regulate gene expression in bacteria by binding to specific small molecules. Class 1 preQ1 riboswitch aptamer is an important model not only for RNA folding but also as a target for designing small molecule antibiotics due to its well-known minimal aptamer domain. Here, we ran a total of 62.4 μs conventional and enhanced-sampling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to characterize the determinants underlying the binding of the preQ1-II riboswitch aptamer to two preQ1 ligands in one binding pocket. Decomposition of binding free energy suggested that preQ1 ligands at α and β sites interact with four nucleotides (G5, C17, C18, and A30) and two nucleotides (A12 and C31), respectively. Mg2+ ions play a crucial role in both stabilizing the binding pocket and facilitating ligand binding. The flexible preQ1 ligand at the β site leads to the top of the binding pocket loosening and thus pre-organizes the riboswitch for ligand entry. Enhanced sampling simulations further revealed that the preQ1 ligand at the α site unbinds through two orthogonal pathways, which are dependent on whether or not a β site preQ1 ligand is present. One of the two preQ1 ligands has been identified in the binding pocket, which will aid to identify the second preQ1 Ligand. Our work provides new information for designing robust ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Hu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
- Laoling People's Hospital, Dezhou 253600, China
| | | | - Zhiping Yu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
| | - Tiejun Cui
- Laoling People's Hospital, Dezhou 253600, China
| | - Wanling Cui
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China.
- Laoling People's Hospital, Dezhou 253600, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hu G, Zhou HX. Magnesium ions mediate ligand binding and conformational transition of the SAM/SAH riboswitch. Commun Biol 2023; 6:791. [PMID: 37524918 PMCID: PMC10390503 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05175-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The SAM/SAH riboswitch binds S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) with similar affinities. Mg2+ is generally known to stabilize RNA structures by neutralizing phosphates, but how it contributes to ligand binding and conformational transition is understudied. Here, extensive molecular dynamics simulations (totaling 120 μs) predicted over 10 inner-shell Mg2+ ions in the SAM/SAH riboswitch. Six of them line the two sides of a groove to widen it and thereby pre-organize the riboswitch for ligand entry. They also form outer-shell coordination with the ligands and stabilize an RNA-ligand hydrogen bond, which effectively diminishes the selectivity between SAM and SAH. One Mg2+ ion unique to the apo form maintains the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in an autonomous mode and thereby facilitates its release for ribosome binding. Mg2+ thus plays vital roles in SAM/SAH riboswitch function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Hu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou, 253023, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hu G, Zhou HX. Magnesium ions mediate ligand binding and conformational transition of the SAM/SAH riboswitch. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.12.532287. [PMID: 36945415 PMCID: PMC10029009 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.12.532287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The SAM/SAH riboswitch binds S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) with similar affinities. Mg 2+ is generally known to stabilize RNA structures by neutralizing phosphates, but how it contributes to ligand binding and conformational transition is understudied. Here, extensive molecular dynamics simulations (totaling 120 μs) identified over 10 inner-shell Mg 2+ ions in the SAM/SAH riboswitch. Six of them line the two sides of a groove to widen it and thereby pre-organize the riboswitch for ligand entry. They also form outer-shell coordination with the ligands and stabilize an RNA-ligand hydrogen bond, which effectively diminish the selectivity between SAM and SAH. One Mg 2+ ion unique to the apo form maintains the Shine-Dalgarno sequence in an autonomous mode and thereby facilitates its release for ribosome binding. Mg 2+ thus plays vital roles in SAM/SAH riboswitch function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Hu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Romero-López C, Roda-Herreros M, Berzal-Herranz B, Ramos-Lorente SE, Berzal-Herranz A. Inter- and Intramolecular RNA–RNA Interactions Modulate the Regulation of Translation Mediated by the 3′ UTR in West Nile Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065337. [PMID: 36982407 PMCID: PMC10049277 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA viruses rely on genomic structural elements to accomplish the functions necessary to complete the viral cycle. These elements participate in a dynamic network of RNA–RNA interactions that determine the overall folding of the RNA genome and may be responsible for the fine regulation of viral replication and translation as well as the transition between them. The genomes of members of the genus Flavivirus are characterized by a complexly folded 3′ UTR with a number of RNA structural elements that are conserved across isolates of each species. The present work provides evidence of intra- and intermolecular RNA–RNA interactions involving RNA structural elements in the 3′ UTR of the West Nile virus genome. The intermolecular interactions can be visualized in vitro by the formation of molecular dimers involving the participation of at least the SLI and 3′DB elements. Certainly, the 3′ UTR of dengue virus, which lacks the SLI element, forms molecular dimers in lower quantities via a single interaction site, probably 3′DB. The functional analysis of sequence or deletion mutants revealed an inverse relationship between 3′ UTR dimerization and viral translation efficiency in cell cultures. A network of RNA–RNA interactions involving 3′ UTR structural elements might therefore exist, helping to regulate viral translation.
Collapse
|
26
|
Kensinger AH, Makowski JA, Pellegrene KA, Imperatore JA, Cunningham CL, Frye CJ, Lackey PE, Mihailescu MR, Evanseck JD. Structural, Dynamical, and Entropic Differences between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 s2m Elements Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations. ACS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AU 2023; 3:30-43. [PMID: 36711027 PMCID: PMC9578647 DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.2c00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The functional role of the highly conserved stem-loop II motif (s2m) in SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in the viral lifecycle remains enigmatic and an intense area of research. Structure and dynamics of the s2m are key to establishing a structure-function connection, yet a full set of atomistic resolution coordinates is not available for SARS-CoV-2 s2m. Our work constructs three-dimensional coordinates consistent with NMR solution phase data for SARS-CoV-2 s2m and provides a comparative analysis with its counterpart SARS-CoV s2m. We employed initial coordinates based on PDB ID 1XJR for SARS-CoV s2m and two models for SARS-CoV-2 s2m: one based on 1XJR in which we introduced the mutations present in SARS-CoV-2 s2m and the second based on the available SARS-CoV-2 NMR NOE data supplemented with knowledge-based methods. For each of the three systems, 3.5 μs molecular dynamics simulations were used to sample the structure and dynamics, and principal component analysis (PCA) reduced the ensembles to hierarchal conformational substates for detailed analysis. Dilute solution simulations of SARS-CoV s2m demonstrate that the GNRA-like terminal pentaloop is rigidly defined by base stacking uniquely positioned for possible kissing dimer formation. However, the SARS-CoV-2 s2m simulation did not retain the reported crystallographic SARS-CoV motifs and the terminal loop expands to a highly dynamic "nonaloop." Increased flexibility and structural disorganization are observed for the larger terminal loop, where an entropic penalty is computed to explain the experimentally observed reduction in kissing complex formation. Overall, both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 s2m elements have a similarly pronounced L-shape due to different motif interactions. Our study establishes the atomistic three-dimensional structure and uncovers dynamic differences that arise from s2m sequence changes, which sets the stage for the interrogation of different mechanistic pathways of suspected biological function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam H. Kensinger
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Joseph A. Makowski
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Kendy A. Pellegrene
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Joshua A. Imperatore
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Caylee L. Cunningham
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Caleb J. Frye
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Patrick E. Lackey
- Department
of Biochemistry and Chemistry, Westminster
College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania16172, United States
| | - Mihaela Rita Mihailescu
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| | - Jeffrey D. Evanseck
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for Computational Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania15282, United States
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Myatt DP, Wharram L, Graham C, Liddell J, Branton H, Pizzey C, Cowieson N, Rambo R, Shattock RJ. Biophysical characterization of the structure of a SARS-CoV-2 self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine. Biol Methods Protoc 2023; 8:bpad001. [PMID: 36915370 PMCID: PMC10008065 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The current SARS-Covid-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to an acceleration of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine technology. The development of production processes for these large mRNA molecules, especially self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA), has required concomitant development of analytical characterization techniques. Characterizing the purity, shape and structure of these biomolecules is key to their successful performance as drug products. This article describes the biophysical characterization of the Imperial College London Self-amplifying viral RNA vaccine (IMP-1) developed for SARS-CoV-2. A variety of analytical techniques have been used to characterize the IMP-1 RNA molecule. In this article, we use ultraviolet spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, size-exclusion chromatography small-angle X-ray scattering and circular dichroism to determine key biophysical attributes of IMP-1. Each technique provides important information about the concentration, size, shape, structure and purity of the molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Myatt
- The National Biologics Manufacturing Centre (NBMC), The Centre for Process Innovation, Darlington DL1 1GL, UK
| | - Lewis Wharram
- The National Biologics Manufacturing Centre (NBMC), The Centre for Process Innovation, Darlington DL1 1GL, UK
| | - Charlotte Graham
- The National Biologics Manufacturing Centre (NBMC), The Centre for Process Innovation, Darlington DL1 1GL, UK
| | - John Liddell
- The National Biologics Manufacturing Centre (NBMC), The Centre for Process Innovation, Darlington DL1 1GL, UK
| | - Harvey Branton
- The National Biologics Manufacturing Centre (NBMC), The Centre for Process Innovation, Darlington DL1 1GL, UK
| | - Claire Pizzey
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Nathan Cowieson
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Robert Rambo
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W21PG, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kleczkowski LA, Igamberdiev AU. Magnesium and cell energetics: At the junction of metabolism of adenylate and non-adenylate nucleotides. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 280:153901. [PMID: 36549033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Free magnesium (Mg2+) represents a powerful signal arising from interconversions of adenylates (ATP, ADP and AMP). This is a consequence of the involvement of adenylate kinase (AK) which equilibrates adenylates and uses defined species of Mg-complexed and Mg-free adenylates in both directions of its reaction. However, cells contain also other reversible Mg2+-dependent enzymes that equilibrate non-adenylate nucleotides (uridylates, cytidylates and guanylates), i.e. nucleoside monophosphate kinases (NMPKs) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). Here, we propose that AK activity is tightly coupled to activities of NMPK and NDPK, linking adenylate equilibrium to equilibria of other nucleotides, and with [Mg2+] controlling the ratios of Mg-chelated and Mg-free nucleotides. This coupling establishes main hubs for adenylate-driven equilibration of non-adenylate nucleotides, with [Mg2+] acting as signal arising from all nucleotides rather than adenylates only. Further consequences involve an overall adenylate control of UTP-, GTP- and CTP-dependent pathways and the availability of substrates for RNA and DNA synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leszek A Kleczkowski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, University of Umeå, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Abir U Igamberdiev
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B3X9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Sato R, Suzuki K, Yasuda Y, Suenaga A, Fukui K. RNAapt3D: RNA aptamer 3D-structural modeling database. Biophys J 2022; 121:4770-4776. [PMID: 36146935 PMCID: PMC9808543 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA aptamers are oligonucleotides with high binding affinity and specificity for target molecules and are expected to be a new generation of therapeutic molecules and targeted delivery materials. The tertiary structure of RNA molecules and RNA-protein interaction sites are increasingly important as potential targets for new drugs. The pathological mechanisms of diseases must be understood in detail to guide drug design. In developing RNA aptamers as drugs, information about the interaction mechanisms and structures of RNA aptamer-target protein complexes are useful. We constructed a database, RNA aptamer 3D-structural modeling (RNAapt3D), consisting of RNA aptamer data that are potential drug candidates. The database includes RNA sequences and computationally predicted RNA tertiary structures based on secondary structures and implements methods that can be used to predict unknown structures of RNA aptamer-target molecule complexes. RNAapt3D should enable the design of RNA aptamers for target molecules and improve the efficiency and productivity of candidate drug selection. RNAapt3D can be accessed at https://rnaapt3d.medals.jp.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryuma Sato
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Suzuki
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Yasuda
- College of Humanities and Science, Department of Biosciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suenaga
- College of Humanities and Science, Department of Biosciences, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Fukui
- Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kim ED, Dorrity MW, Fitzgerald BA, Seo H, Sepuru KM, Queitsch C, Mitsuda N, Han SK, Torii KU. Dynamic chromatin accessibility deploys heterotypic cis/trans-acting factors driving stomatal cell-fate commitment. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:1453-1466. [PMID: 36522450 PMCID: PMC9788986 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01304-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin architecture and transcription factor (TF) binding underpin cell-fate specification during development, but their mutual regulatory relationships remain unclear. Here we report an atlas of dynamic chromatin landscapes during stomatal cell-lineage progression, in which sequential cell-state transitions are governed by lineage-specific bHLH TFs. Major reprogramming of chromatin accessibility occurs at the proliferation-to-differentiation transition. We discover novel co-cis regulatory elements (CREs) signifying the early precursor stage, BBR/BPC (GAGA) and bHLH (E-box) motifs, where master-regulatory bHLH TFs, SPEECHLESS and MUTE, consecutively bind to initiate and terminate the proliferative state, respectively. BPC TFs complex with MUTE to repress SPEECHLESS expression through a local deposition of repressive histone marks. We elucidate the mechanism by which cell-state-specific heterotypic TF complexes facilitate cell-fate commitment by recruiting chromatin modifiers via key co-CREs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Deok Kim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Michael W Dorrity
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bridget A Fitzgerald
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hyemin Seo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Krishna Mohan Sepuru
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nobutaka Mitsuda
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Soon-Ki Han
- Institute of Transformative Biomolecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Keiko U Torii
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Institute of Transformative Biomolecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wu L, Zhang P, Zhou H, Li J, Shen X, Li T, Kong Z, Hu W, Zhang Y. Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Interaction between Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots and DNA Fragment. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8506. [PMID: 36500001 PMCID: PMC9737461 DOI: 10.3390/ma15238506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to their excellent physical properties, graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) are widely used in various fields, especially biomedicine. However, due to the short study period, their biosafety and potential genotoxicity to human and animal cells are not well elucidated. In this study, the adsorption of GOQDs with different concentrations and oxidation degrees on DNA was investigated using a molecular dynamics simulation method. The toxicity to DNA depended on the interaction mechanism that GOQDs adsorbed on DNA fragments, especially in the minor groove of DNA. When the number of the adsorbed GOQDs in the minor groove of DNA is small, the GOQD inserts into the interior of the base pair. When there are more GOQDs in the minor groove of DNA, the base pairs at the adsorption sites of DNA unwind directly. This interaction way damaged the double helix structure of DNA seriously. We also compare the different functional groups of -1COOH. The results show that the interaction energy between 1COOH-GQD and DNA is stronger than that between 1OH-GQD and DNA. However, the damage to DNA is the opposite. These findings deepen our understanding of graphene nanotoxicity in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingxiao Wu
- Center of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Pengzhen Zhang
- Center of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Hanxing Zhou
- College of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Automation, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xin Shen
- School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Center of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Zhe Kong
- Center of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Shandong 250353, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- Center of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Devices, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Sensor of Zhejiang Province, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
pTINCR microprotein promotes epithelial differentiation and suppresses tumor growth through CDC42 SUMOylation and activation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6840. [PMID: 36369429 PMCID: PMC9652315 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34529-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human transcriptome contains thousands of small open reading frames (sORFs) that encode microproteins whose functions remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that TINCR lncRNA encodes pTINCR, an evolutionary conserved ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) expressed in many epithelia and upregulated upon differentiation and under cellular stress. By gain- and loss-of-function studies, we demonstrate that pTINCR is a key inducer of epithelial differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, low expression of TINCR associates with worse prognosis in several epithelial cancers, and pTINCR overexpression reduces malignancy in patient-derived xenografts. At the molecular level, pTINCR binds to SUMO through its SUMO interacting motif (SIM) and to CDC42, a Rho-GTPase critical for actin cytoskeleton remodeling and epithelial differentiation. Moreover, pTINCR increases CDC42 SUMOylation and promotes its activation, triggering a pro-differentiation cascade. Our findings suggest that the microproteome is a source of new regulators of cell identity relevant for cancer.
Collapse
|
33
|
Zhang J, Fakharzadeh A, Roland C, Sagui C. RNA as a Major-Groove Ligand: RNA-RNA and RNA-DNA Triplexes Formed by GAA and UUC or TTC Sequences. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:38728-38743. [PMID: 36340174 PMCID: PMC9631886 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c04358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia is associated with noncanonical nucleic acid structures that emerge when GAA:TTC repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene expand beyond a critical number of repeats. Specifically, the noncanonical repeats are associated with both triplexes and R-loops. Here, we present an in silico investigation of all possible triplexes that form by attaching a third RNA strand to an RNA:RNA or DNA:DNA duplex, complementing previous DNA-based triplex studies. For both new triplexes results are similar. For a pyridimine UUC+ third strand, the parallel orientation is stable while its antiparallel counterpart is unstable. For a neutral GAA third strand, the parallel conformation is stable. A protonated GA+A third strand is stable in both parallel and antiparallel orientations. We have also investigated Na+ and Mg2+ ion distributions around the triplexes. The presence of Mg2+ ions helps stabilize neutral, antiparallel GAA triplexes. These results (along with previous DNA-based studies) allow for the emergence of a complete picture of the stability and structural characteristics of triplexes based on the GAA and TTC/UUC sequences, thereby contributing to the field of trinucleotide repeats and the associated unusual structures that trigger expansion.
Collapse
|
34
|
Potential effects of metal ion induced two-state allostery on the regulatory mechanism of add adenine riboswitch. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1120. [PMID: 36273041 PMCID: PMC9588036 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Riboswitches normally regulate gene expression through structural changes in response to the specific binding of cellular metabolites or metal ions. Taking add adenine riboswitch as an example, we explore the influences of metal ions (especially for K+ and Mg2+ ions) on the structure and dynamics of riboswitch aptamer (with and without ligand) by using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. Our results show that a two-state transition marked by the structural deformation at the connection of J12 and P1 (CJ12-P1) is not only related to the binding of cognate ligands, but also strongly coupled with the change of metal ion environments. Moreover, the deformation of the structure at CJ12-P1 can be transmitted to P1 directly connected to the expression platform in multiple ways, which will affect the structure and stability of P1 to varying degrees, and finally change the regulation state of this riboswitch. Molecular dynamic simulations are employed to assess the influence of metal ions on riboswitch structure and dynamics, suggesting a conformational control of riboswitch aptamers by metal ions before ligand binding.
Collapse
|
35
|
Kallert E, Fischer TR, Schneider S, Grimm M, Helm M, Kersten C. Protein-Based Virtual Screening Tools Applied for RNA-Ligand Docking Identify New Binders of the preQ 1-Riboswitch. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:4134-4148. [PMID: 35994617 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Targeting RNA with small molecules is an emerging field. While several ligands for different RNA targets are reported, structure-based virtual screenings (VSs) against RNAs are still rare. Here, we elucidated the general capabilities of protein-based docking programs to reproduce native binding modes of small-molecule RNA ligands and to discriminate known binders from decoys by the scoring function. The programs were found to perform similar compared to the RNA-based docking tool rDOCK, and the challenges faced during docking, namely, protomer and tautomer selection, target dynamics, and explicit solvent, do not largely differ from challenges in conventional protein-ligand docking. A prospective VS with the Bacillus subtilis preQ1-riboswitch aptamer domain performed with FRED, HYBRID, and FlexX followed by microscale thermophoresis assays identified six active compounds out of 23 tested VS hits with potencies between 29.5 nM and 11.0 μM. The hits were selected not solely based on their docking score but for resembling key interactions of the native ligand. Therefore, this study demonstrates the general feasibility to perform structure-based VSs against RNA targets, while at the same time it highlights pitfalls and their potential solutions when executing RNA-ligand docking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kallert
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Tim R Fischer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Maike Grimm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | - Christian Kersten
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Staudingerweg 5, Mainz 55128, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mahdizadeh SJ, Pålsson E, Carlesso A, Chevet E, Eriksson LA. QM/MM Well-Tempered Metadynamics Study of the Mechanism of XBP1 mRNA Cleavage by Inositol Requiring Enzyme 1α RNase. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:4247-4260. [PMID: 35960929 PMCID: PMC9472280 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A range of in silico methodologies were herein employed to study the unconventional XBP1 mRNA cleavage mechanism performed by the unfolded protein response (UPR) mediator Inositol Requiring Enzyme 1α (IRE1). Using Protein-RNA molecular docking along with a series of extensive restrained/unrestrained atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the dynamical behavior of the system was evaluated and a reliable model of the IRE1/XBP1 mRNA complex was constructed. From a series of well-converged quantum mechanics molecular mechanics well-tempered metadynamics (QM/MM WT-MetaD) simulations using the Grimme dispersion interaction corrected semiempirical parametrization method 6 level of theory (PM6-D3) and the AMBER14SB-OL3 force field, the free energy profile of the cleavage mechanism was determined, along with intermediates and transition state structures. The results show two distinct reaction paths based on general acid-general base type mechanisms, with different activation energies that perfectly match observations from experimental mutagenesis data. The study brings unique atomistic insights into the cleavage mechanism of XBP1 mRNA by IRE1 and clarifies the roles of the catalytic residues H910 and Y892. Increased understanding of the details in UPR signaling can assist in the development of new therapeutic agents for its modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayyed Jalil Mahdizadeh
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Emil Pålsson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Antonio Carlesso
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Euler Institute, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI),, Lugano 6904, Switzerland.,Department of Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Eric Chevet
- INSERM U1242, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France.,Centre Eugène Marquis, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Leif A Eriksson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Kolev SK, St. Petkov P, Milenov TI, Vayssilov GN. Sodium and Magnesium Ion Location at the Backbone and at the Nucleobase of RNA: Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics in Water Solution. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:23234-23244. [PMID: 35847262 PMCID: PMC9280761 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between Na+ or Mg2+ ions with different parts of single-stranded RNA molecules, namely, the oxygen atoms from the phosphate groups or the guanine base, in water solution have been studied using first-principles molecular dynamics. Sodium ions were found to be much more mobile than Mg2+ ions and readily underwent transitions between a state directly bonded to RNA oxygen atoms and a completely solvated state. The inner solvation shell of Na+ ions fluctuated stochastically at a femtosecond timescale coordinating on average 5 oxygen atoms for bonded Na+ ions and 5.5 oxygen atoms for solvated Na+ ions. In contrast, the inner solvation shell of Mg2+ ions was stable in both RNA-bonded and completely solvated states. In both cases, Mg2+ ions coordinated 6 oxygen atoms from the inner solvation shell. Consistent with their stable solvation shells, Mg2+ ions were more effective than Na+ ions in stabilizing the RNA backbone conformation. The exclusion zones between the first and second solvation shells, solvation shell widths, and angles for binding to carbonyl oxygen of guanine for solvated Na+ or Mg2+ ions exhibited a number of quantitative differences when compared with RNA crystallographic data. The presented results support the distinct capacity of Mg2+ ions to support the RNA structure not only in the crystal phase but also in the dynamic water environment both on the side of the phosphate moiety and on the side of the nucleobase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan K. Kolev
- Institute
of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72 Tzarigradsko Chaussee Blvd., Sofia 1784, Bulgaria
| | - Petko St. Petkov
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of
Sofia, Boulevard James
Bouchier 1, Sofia 1126, Bulgaria
| | - Teodor I. Milenov
- Institute
of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72 Tzarigradsko Chaussee Blvd., Sofia 1784, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi N. Vayssilov
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of
Sofia, Boulevard James
Bouchier 1, Sofia 1126, Bulgaria
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Mg2+ Ions Regulating 3WJ-PRNA to Construct Controllable RNA Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Platforms. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071413. [PMID: 35890308 PMCID: PMC9320661 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA nanotechnology has shown great progress over the past decade. Diverse controllable and multifunctional RNA nanoparticles have been developed for various applications in many areas. For example, RNA nanoparticles can participate in the construction of drug delivery nanoplatforms. Recently, a three-way junction packaging RNA (3WJ-pRNA) has been exploited for its characteristics of self-assembly and ultrahigh stability in many aspects. 3WJ-pRNA is the 3WJ part of bacteriophage φ29 pRNA and joins different components of φ29 as a linker element. In this work, we used all-atom MD simulation to study the thermal stability of 3WJ-pRNA and the underlying mechanisms. While 3WJ-pRNA can remain in its original structure without Mg2+ ions at room temperature, only Mg-bound 3WJ-pRNA still maintains its initial three-way junction structure at a higher temperature (T = 400 K). The Mg-free 3WJ-pRNA undergoes dramatic deformation under high temperature condition. The contribution of Mg ions can be largely attributed to the protective effect of two Mg clamps on the hydrogen bond and base stacking interactions in helices. Taken together, our results reveal the extraordinary thermal stability of 3WJ-pRNA, which can be regulated by Mg2+ ions. Comprehensive depictions of thermal stability of pRNA and the regulation mechanism are helpful for the further development of controllable RNA nanoparticle drug delivery platforms.
Collapse
|
39
|
Lee SB, Garofano L, Ko A, D'Angelo F, Frangaj B, Sommer D, Gan Q, Kim K, Cardozo T, Iavarone A, Lasorella A. Regulated interaction of ID2 with the anaphase-promoting complex links progression through mitosis with reactivation of cell-type-specific transcription. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2089. [PMID: 35440621 PMCID: PMC9018835 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29502-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue-specific transcriptional activity is silenced in mitotic cells but it remains unclear whether the mitotic regulatory machinery interacts with tissue-specific transcriptional programs. We show that such cross-talk involves the controlled interaction between core subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) and the ID2 substrate. The N-terminus of ID2 is independently and structurally compatible with a pocket composed of core APC/C subunits that may optimally orient ID2 onto the APCCDH1 complex. Phosphorylation of serine-5 by CDK1 prevented the association of ID2 with core APC, impaired ubiquitylation and stabilized ID2 protein at the mitosis-G1 transition leading to inhibition of basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH)-mediated transcription. The serine-5 phospho-mimetic mutant of ID2 that inefficiently bound core APC remained stable during mitosis, delayed exit from mitosis and reloading of bHLH transcription factors on chromatin. It also locked cells into a "mitotic stem cell" transcriptional state resembling the pluripotent program of embryonic stem cells. The substrates of APCCDH1 SKP2 and Cyclin B1 share with ID2 the phosphorylation-dependent, D-box-independent interaction with core APC. These results reveal a new layer of control of the mechanism by which substrates are recognized by APC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Bae Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Division of Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea.
| | - Luciano Garofano
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA
| | - Aram Ko
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA
| | - Fulvio D'Angelo
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA
| | - Brulinda Frangaj
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA
| | - Danika Sommer
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA
| | - Qiwen Gan
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA
| | - KyeongJin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Timothy Cardozo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Antonio Iavarone
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
| | - Anna Lasorella
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, 10032, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
King M, Avaro JT, Peter C, Hauser K, Gebauer D. Solvent-mediated isotope effects strongly influence the early stages of calcium carbonate formation: exploring D 2O vs. H 2O in a combined computational and experimental approach. Faraday Discuss 2022; 235:36-55. [PMID: 35388817 DOI: 10.1039/d1fd00078k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In experimental studies, heavy water (D2O) is employed, e.g., so as to shift the spectroscopic solvent background, but any potential effects of this solvent exchange on reaction pathways are often neglected. While the important role of light water (H2O) during the early stages of calcium carbonate formation has been realized, studies into the actual effects of aqueous solvent exchanges are scarce. Here, we present a combined computational and experimental approach to start to fill this gap. We extended a suitable force field for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Experimentally, we utilised advanced titration assays and time-resolved attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. We find distinct effects in various mixtures of the two aqueous solvents, and in pure H2O or D2O. Disagreements between the computational results and experimental data regarding the stabilities of ion associates might be due to the unexplored role of HDO, or an unprobed complex phase behaviour of the solvent mixtures in the simulations. Altogether, however, our data suggest that calcium carbonate formation might proceed "more classically" in D2O. Also, there are indications for the formation of new structures in amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonates. There is huge potential towards further improving the understanding of mineralization mechanisms by studying solvent-mediated isotope effects, also beyond calcium carbonate. Last, it must be appreciated that H2O and D2O have significant, distinct effects on mineralization mechanisms, and that care has to be taken when experimental data from D2O studies are used, e.g., for the development of H2O-based computer models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael King
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jonathan T Avaro
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.,Empa, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Christine Peter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Karin Hauser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Denis Gebauer
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University of Hannover, Callinstr. 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hu G, Zhou HX. Binding free energy decomposition and multiple unbinding paths of buried ligands in a PreQ1 riboswitch. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009603. [PMID: 34767553 PMCID: PMC8612554 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Riboswitches are naturally occurring RNA elements that control bacterial gene expression by binding to specific small molecules. They serve as important models for RNA-small molecule recognition and have also become a novel class of targets for developing antibiotics. Here, we carried out conventional and enhanced-sampling molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, totaling 153.5 μs, to characterize the determinants of binding free energies and unbinding paths for the cognate and synthetic ligands of a PreQ1 riboswitch. Binding free energy analysis showed that two triplets of nucleotides, U6-C15-A29 and G5-G11-C16, contribute the most to the binding of the cognate ligands, by hydrogen bonding and by base stacking, respectively. Mg2+ ions are essential in stabilizing the binding pocket. For the synthetic ligands, the hydrogen-bonding contributions of the U6-C15-A29 triplet are significantly compromised, and the bound state resembles the apo state in several respects, including the disengagement of the C15-A14-A13 and A32-G33 base stacks. The bulkier synthetic ligands lead to significantly loosening of the binding pocket, including extrusion of the C15 nucleobase and a widening of the C15-C30 groove. Enhanced-sampling simulations further revealed that the cognate and synthetic ligands unbind in almost opposite directions. Our work offers new insight for designing riboswitch ligands. Riboswitches are bacterial RNA elements that change structures upon binding a cognate ligand. They are of great interest not only for understanding gene regulation but also as targets for designing small-molecule antibiotics and chemical tools. Understanding the molecular determinants for ligand affinity and selectivity is thus crucial for designing synthetic ligands. Here we carried out extensive molecular dynamics simulations of a PreQ1 riboswitch bound to either cognate or synthetic ligands. By comparing and contrasting these two groups of ligands, we learn how the chemical (e.g., number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors) and physical (e.g., molecular size) features of ligands affect binding affinity and ligand exit paths. While the number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors is a key determinant for RNA binding affinity, the ligand size affects the rigidity of the binding pocket and thereby regulates the unbinding of the ligand. These lessons provide guidance for designing riboswitch ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Hu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Huan-Xiang Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Kyrousi C, O’Neill AC, Brazovskaja A, He Z, Kielkowski P, Coquand L, Di Giaimo R, D’ Andrea P, Belka A, Forero Echeverry A, Mei D, Lenge M, Cruceanu C, Buchsbaum IY, Khattak S, Fabien G, Binder E, Elmslie F, Guerrini R, Baffet AD, Sieber SA, Treutlein B, Robertson SP, Cappello S. Extracellular LGALS3BP regulates neural progenitor position and relates to human cortical complexity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6298. [PMID: 34728600 PMCID: PMC8564519 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26447-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal progenitors (BPs), including intermediate progenitors and basal radial glia, are generated from apical radial glia and are enriched in gyrencephalic species like humans, contributing to neuronal expansion. Shortly after generation, BPs delaminate towards the subventricular zone, where they further proliferate before differentiation. Gene expression alterations involved in BP delamination and function in humans are poorly understood. Here, we study the role of LGALS3BP, so far known as a cancer biomarker, which is a secreted protein enriched in human neural progenitors (NPCs). We show that individuals with LGALS3BP de novo variants exhibit altered local gyrification, sulcal depth, surface area and thickness in their cortex. Additionally, using cerebral organoids, human fetal tissues and mice, we show that LGALS3BP regulates the position of NPCs. Single-cell RNA-sequencing and proteomics reveal that LGALS3BP-mediated mechanisms involve the extracellular matrix in NPCs' anchoring and migration within the human brain. We propose that its temporal expression influences NPCs' delamination, corticogenesis and gyrification extrinsically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Kyrousi
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany ,grid.5216.00000 0001 2155 0800Present Address: First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece and University Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine Research Institute “Costas Stefanis”, Athens, Greece
| | - Adam C. O’Neill
- grid.29980.3a0000 0004 1936 7830Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Agnieska Brazovskaja
- grid.419518.00000 0001 2159 1813Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zhisong He
- grid.419518.00000 0001 2159 1813Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany ,grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pavel Kielkowski
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XPresent Address: Department Chemie Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Butenandtstr. 5-13, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Laure Coquand
- grid.4444.00000 0001 2112 9282Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 rue d’Ulm, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Rossella Di Giaimo
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany ,grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo D’ Andrea
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Belka
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Davide Mei
- grid.413181.e0000 0004 1757 8562Neuroscience Department, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Lenge
- grid.413181.e0000 0004 1757 8562Neuroscience Department, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Cristiana Cruceanu
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Isabel Y. Buchsbaum
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany ,grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XGraduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 82152 Munich Planegg, Germany
| | - Shahryar Khattak
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257DFG-Research Center and Cluster of Excellence for Regenerative Therapies (CRTD), School of Medicine, Technical University Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany ,grid.4912.e0000 0004 0488 7120Present Address: Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) in Bahrain, Adliya, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Guimiot Fabien
- grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Unité de Foetopathologie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, CHU Robert Debré, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Binder
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Frances Elmslie
- grid.4464.20000 0001 2161 2573South West Thames Regional Genetics Service, St George’s, University of London, London, SW17 0RE UK
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- grid.413181.e0000 0004 1757 8562Neuroscience Department, Children’s Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Alexandre D. Baffet
- grid.4444.00000 0001 2112 9282Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR 144, 26 rue d’Ulm, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Stephan A. Sieber
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Chemistry, Chair of Organic Chemistry II, Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Barbara Treutlein
- grid.419518.00000 0001 2159 1813Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany ,grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780ETH Zurich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen P. Robertson
- grid.29980.3a0000 0004 1936 7830Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Otago, 9054 Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Silvia Cappello
- grid.419548.50000 0000 9497 5095Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Gunawardhana SM, Holmstrom ED. Apolar chemical environments compact unfolded RNAs and can promote folding. BIOPHYSICAL REPORTS 2021; 1. [PMID: 35382036 PMCID: PMC8978554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpr.2021.100004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
It is well documented that the structure, and thus function, of nucleic acids depends on the chemical environment surrounding them, which often includes potential proteinaceous binding partners. The nonpolar amino acid side chains of these proteins will invariably alter the polarity of the local chemical environment around the nucleic acid. However, we are only beginning to understand how environmental polarity generally influences the structural and energetic properties of RNA folding. Here, we use a series of aqueous-organic cosolvent mixtures to systematically modulate the solvent polarity around two different RNA folding constructs that can form either secondary or tertiary structural elements. Using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer spectroscopy to simultaneously monitor the structural and energetic properties of these RNAs, we show that the unfolded conformations of both model RNAs become more compact in apolar environments characterized by dielectric constants less than that of pure water. In the case of tertiary structure formation, this compaction also gives rise to more energetically favorable folding. We propose that these physical changes arise from an enhanced accumulation of counterions in the low dielectric environment surrounding the unfolded RNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Erik D Holmstrom
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.,Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Matreux T, Le Vay K, Schmid A, Aikkila P, Belohlavek L, Çalışkanoğlu AZ, Salibi E, Kühnlein A, Springsklee C, Scheu B, Dingwell DB, Braun D, Mutschler H, Mast CB. Heat flows in rock cracks naturally optimize salt compositions for ribozymes. Nat Chem 2021; 13:1038-1045. [PMID: 34446924 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-021-00772-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Catalytic nucleic acids, such as ribozymes, are central to a variety of origin-of-life scenarios. Typically, they require elevated magnesium concentrations for folding and activity, but their function can be inhibited by high concentrations of monovalent salts. Here we show that geologically plausible high-sodium, low-magnesium solutions derived from leaching basalt (rock and remelted glass) inhibit ribozyme catalysis, but that this activity can be rescued by selective magnesium up-concentration by heat flow across rock fissures. In contrast to up-concentration by dehydration or freezing, this system is so far from equilibrium that it can actively alter the Mg:Na salt ratio to an extent that enables key ribozyme activities, such as self-replication and RNA extension, in otherwise challenging solution conditions. The principle demonstrated here is applicable to a broad range of salt concentrations and compositions, and, as such, highly relevant to various origin-of-life scenarios.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Matreux
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - K Le Vay
- MPI für Biochemie, Biomimetische Systeme, Martinsried, Germany
| | - A Schmid
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - P Aikkila
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - L Belohlavek
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A Z Çalışkanoğlu
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - E Salibi
- MPI für Biochemie, Biomimetische Systeme, Martinsried, Germany
| | - A Kühnlein
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C Springsklee
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - B Scheu
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - D B Dingwell
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - D Braun
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - C B Mast
- Systems Biophysics, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Chen J, Li N, Wang X, Chen J, Zhang JZH, Zhu T. Molecular mechanism related to the binding of fluorophores to Mango-II revealed by multiple-replica molecular dynamics simulations. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:10636-10649. [PMID: 33904542 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp06438f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recently, RNA aptamers activating small-molecule fluorophores have been successfully applied to tag and track RNAs in vivo. It is of significance to investigate the molecular mechanism of the fluorophore-RNA aptamer bindings at the atomic level to seek a possible pathway to enhance the fluorescence efficiency of fluorophores. In this work, multiple replica molecular dynamics (MRMD) simulations, essential dynamics (ED) analysis, and hierarchical clustering analysis were coupled to probe the effect of A22U mutation on the binding of two fluorophores, TO1-Biotin (TO1) and TO3-Biotin (TO3), to the Mango-II RNA aptamer (Mango-II). ED analysis reveals that A22U induces alterations in the binding pocket and sites of TO1 and TO3 to the Mango-II, which in turn tunes the fluorophore-RNA interface and changes the interactions of TO1 and TO3 with separate nucleotides of Mango-II. Dynamics analyses also uncover that A22U exerts the opposite impact on the molecular surface areas of the Mango-II and sugar puckers of nucleotides 22 and 23 in Mango-II complexed with TO1 and TO3. Moreover, the calculations of binding free energies suggest that A22U strengthens the binding ability of TO1 to the mutated Mango-II but weakens TO3 to the mutated Mango-II when compared with WT. These findings imply that point mutation in nucleotides possibly tune the fluorescence of fluorophores binding to RNA aptamers, providing a possible scheme to enhance the fluorescence of fluorophores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junxiao Chen
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. and School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, 250353, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xingyu Wang
- NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong Chen
- School of Science, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan 250357, People's Republic of China.
| | - John Z H Zhang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. and NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics & New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. and NYU-ECNU Center for Computational Chemistry at NYU Shanghai, Shanghai, People's Republic of China and Shandong Key Laboratory of Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics, Dezhou University, Dezhou 253023, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Spoel D, Zhang J, Zhang H. Quantitative predictions from molecular simulations using explicit or implicit interactions. WIRES COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/wcms.1560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Spoel
- Uppsala Center for Computational Chemistry, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - Haiyang Zhang
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering University of Science and Technology Beijing Beijing China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Peng J, Zhang Y, Jiang Y, Zhang H. Developing and Assessing Nonbonded Dummy Models of Magnesium Ion with Different Hydration Free Energy References. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:2981-2997. [PMID: 34080414 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
A large diversity in the targeted hydration free energies (HFEs) during model parameterization of metal ions was reported in the literature with a difference by dozens of kcal/mol. Here, we developed a series of nonbonded dummy models of the Mg2+ ion targeting different HFE references in TIP3P water, followed by assessments of the designed models in the simulations of MgCl2 solution and biological systems. Together with the comparison of existing models, we conclude that the difference in the targeted HFEs has a limited influence on the model performance, while the usability of these models differs from case to case. The feasibility of reproducing more properties of Mg2+ such as diffusion constants and water exchange rates using a nonbonded dummy model is demonstrated. Underestimated activity derivative and osmotic coefficient of MgCl2 solutions in high concentration reveal a necessity for further optimization of ion-pair interactions. The developed dummy models are applicable to metal coordination with Asp, Glu, and His residues in metalloenzymes, and the performance in predicting monodentate or bidentate binding modes of Asp/Glu residues depends on the complexity of metal centers and the choice of protein force fields. When both the binding modes coexist, the nonbonded dummy models outperform point charge models, probably in need of considering polarization of metal-binding residues by, for instance, charge calibration in classical force fields. This work is valuable for the use and further development of magnesium ion models for simulations of metal-containing systems with good accuracy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Peng
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Yongguang Zhang
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Yang Jiang
- Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Haiyang Zhang
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 100083 Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Cao J, Xue Y. Characteristic chemical probing patterns of loop motifs improve prediction accuracy of RNA secondary structures. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4294-4307. [PMID: 33849076 PMCID: PMC8096282 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA structures play a fundamental role in nearly every aspect of cellular physiology and pathology. Gaining insights into the functions of RNA molecules requires accurate predictions of RNA secondary structures. However, the existing thermodynamic folding models remain less accurate than desired, even when chemical probing data, such as selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) reactivities, are used as restraints. Unlike most SHAPE-directed algorithms that only consider SHAPE restraints for base pairing, we extract two-dimensional structural features encoded in SHAPE data and establish robust relationships between characteristic SHAPE patterns and loop motifs of various types (hairpin, internal, and bulge) and lengths (2-11 nucleotides). Such characteristic SHAPE patterns are closely related to the sugar pucker conformations of loop residues. Based on these patterns, we propose a computational method, SHAPELoop, which refines the predicted results of the existing methods, thereby further improving their prediction accuracy. In addition, SHAPELoop can provide information about local or global structural rearrangements (including pseudoknots) and help researchers to easily test their hypothesized secondary structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yi Xue
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Orban A, Weber A, Herzog R, Hennicke F, Rühl M. Transcriptome of different fruiting stages in the cultivated mushroom Cyclocybe aegerita suggests a complex regulation of fruiting and reveals enzymes putatively involved in fungal oxylipin biosynthesis. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:324. [PMID: 33947322 PMCID: PMC8097960 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cyclocybe aegerita (syn. Agrocybe aegerita) is a commercially cultivated mushroom. Its archetypal agaric morphology and its ability to undergo its whole life cycle under laboratory conditions makes this fungus a well-suited model for studying fruiting body (basidiome, basidiocarp) development. To elucidate the so far barely understood biosynthesis of fungal volatiles, alterations in the transcriptome during different developmental stages of C. aegerita were analyzed and combined with changes in the volatile profile during its different fruiting stages. RESULTS A transcriptomic study at seven points in time during fruiting body development of C. aegerita with seven mycelial and five fruiting body stages was conducted. Differential gene expression was observed for genes involved in fungal fruiting body formation showing interesting transcriptional patterns and correlations of these fruiting-related genes with the developmental stages. Combining transcriptome and volatilome data, enzymes putatively involved in the biosynthesis of C8 oxylipins in C. aegerita including lipoxygenases (LOXs), dioxygenases (DOXs), hydroperoxide lyases (HPLs), alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) and ene-reductases could be identified. Furthermore, we were able to localize the mycelium as the main source for sesquiterpenes predominant during sporulation in the headspace of C. aegerita cultures. In contrast, changes in the C8 profile detected in late stages of development are probably due to the activity of enzymes located in the fruiting bodies. CONCLUSIONS In this study, the combination of volatilome and transcriptome data of C. aegerita revealed interesting candidates both for functional genetics-based analysis of fruiting-related genes and for prospective enzyme characterization studies to further elucidate the so far barely understood biosynthesis of fungal C8 oxylipins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Axel Orban
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Annsophie Weber
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Hesse, Germany
| | - Robert Herzog
- International Institute Zittau, Technical University Dresden, 02763, Zittau, Saxony, Germany
| | - Florian Hennicke
- Project Group Genetics and Genomics of Fungi, Ruhr-University Bochum, Chair Evolution of Plants and Fungi, 44780, Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
| | - Martin Rühl
- Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Hesse, Germany. .,Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME Branch for Bioresources, 35392, Giessen, Hesse, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Golyshev VM, Pyshnyi DV, Lomzov AA. Effects of Phosphoryl Guanidine Modification of Phosphate Residues on the Structure and Hybridization of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:2841-2855. [PMID: 33724825 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c10214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoryl guanidine oligonucleotides (PGOs) are promising tools for biological research and development of biosensors and therapeutics. We performed structural and hybridization analyses of octa-, deca-, and dodecamers with all phosphate residues modified by 1,3-dimethylimidazolidine-2-imine moieties. Similarity of the B-form double helix between native and modified duplexes was noted. In PGO duplexes, we detected a decrease in the proportion of C2'-endo and an increased proportion of C1'-exo sugar conformations of the modified chain. Applicability of the two-state model to denaturation transition of all studied duplexes was proved for the first time. Sequence-dependent effects of this modification on hybridization properties were observed. The thermal stability of PGO complexes is almost native at 100 mM NaCl and slightly increases with decreasing ionic strength. An increase in water activity and dramatic changes in interaction with cations and in solvation of PGOs and their duplexes were noted, resulting in slight elevation of the melting temperature after an ionic-strength decrease from 1 M NaCl down to deionized water. Decreased binding of sodium ions and decreased water solvation were documented for PGOs and their duplexes. In contrast to DNA, the PGO duplex formation leads to a release of several cations. The water shell is significantly more disordered near PGOs and their complexes. Nevertheless, changes in solvation during the formation of native and PGO complexes are similar and indicate that it is possible to develop models for predictive calculations of the thermodynamic properties of phosphoryl guanidine oligomers. Our results may help devise an approach for the rational design of PGOs as novel improved molecular probes and tools for many modern methods involving oligonucleotides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Golyshev
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitrii V Pyshnyi
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Alexander A Lomzov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| |
Collapse
|